Steve Pearce's bases-loaded single in the eighth broke a tie and lifted the Pirates to a 5-2 victory against the New York Mets this afternoon at PNC Park, avoiding a four-game sweep.

Jack Wilson followed with a two-run double for insurance, each of those hits came off Duaner Sanchez, who gave up hits to all three batters faced.

Paul Maholm pitched well again, with two runs over seven innings.

Adam LaRoche hit a no-doubt, two-run home run to the top of the seats above the Clemente Wall in the sixth inning, off a John Maine fastball. That tied the score at 2-2, which is where it stayed until Pearce's single.

Sean Burnett bailed Tyler Yates out of a bases-loaded eighth-inning jam by retiring his only batter, Carlos Delgado, on a popup. Burnett got the victory, his first in the majors since July 25, 2004.

John Grabow got the save.

The Pirates will recall outfielder Nyjer Morgan and place utilityman Doug Mientkiewicz on the bereavement list, after his wife underwent heart surgery at Allegheny General Hospital today. That move will take effect for the game tomorrow in St. Louis.

Check PBC Blog for details.